PODCAST!

This is the first ever episode of the Keeping It Reel audio podcast on Mainetoday.com!

EPISODE I: BABBLE

In which host Mike Robida and Ariel Todd discuss the upcoming Academy Awards and bicker about exactly how bad “Sweeney Todd” actually was.

Actor Heath Ledger dies at 28

Oscar nominated actor Heath Ledger was found dead in Mary Kate Olson’s New York apartment this morning “in a possible drug related death.” (imdb.com) Over the course of his short life Ledger starred in over fourteen films including “The Patriot,” “Brokeback Mountain,” and “10 Things I Hate About You.”

Though I followed him throughout his career I only recently became a fan of Heath’s work. It wasn’t until I saw the new “Dark Knight” trailer that I actually felt a performance of his was worth talking at people about. Since December the new Batman film has been on the top of my summer watch list. And Heath Ledger as the Joker is why.

More information will be released as the story develops. Until then…

Cloverfield

I couldn’t believe the audiences reaction this Friday night to Cloverfield. For those of you living under a rock Cloverfield is “Lost” producer J.J. Abram’s new Giant Monster Attacks New York movie.

As credits began to roll here’s what I heard.

“Are you kidding me?!”
“That’s it?!”
“I wasted nine bucks to see that?!”
“Shortest movie ever!”

Kids, I understand that this movie is no Juno but I’m not sure it was trying to be Gone With the Wind. It was a spoof on the plethora of Godzilla movies that have floated through the Hollywood timeline.

I personally thought that the movie was great fun. Not a great FILM, just great fun. For me “Cloverfield” is the theater-near-you equivalent of a Universal Studios ride. The whole thing is shot in first person so you actually feel as though you’re in the movie.

Disagree with me if you like (I know most of you do), but the flick gave me exactly what I wanted out of it.

What did you think?
And were you disappointed by the monster?
Originally I thought they might be giant sewer rats. I was wrong.
What did you think?